News: Nas Teams W/ Fila For New 80s Style Clothing Line

By Cyrus Langhorne

Multi-platinum selling rapper Nas has signed a one-year deal with sportswear company Fila that will feature the emcee in their products and co-creating a clothing line resembling the late 80's fashions.

According to Billboard, the partnership will benefit both parties. Nas will receive financial support with his print and television advertisement campaigns and upcoming tour, while vast numbers of fans will see Fila worn by the highly respected Queens, New York rapper.

Despite refusing commercial deals in the past, Nas' decision to accept this one comes from admiration he has had for the company since his days with slain friend Ill Will.

"My best friend Will and I loved Fila," Nas revealed. "It represented prestige and everything that was cool to us. When Will passed, we buried him in a black Fila sweat suit, so doing a deal with them has a lot of significance for me."

Showing support for the power move, Fila president John Epstein respectfully acknowledged the perception of rappers selling out when doing commercial deals and how Fila shares the same goals as Nas.

"One of my executives spotted Nas shopping in our Manhattan store and struck up a conversation with him," Epstein said. "Nas isn't interested in selling out. He's interested in being true, and that fits with our brand."

Nas' untitled Def Jam release is scheduled to come out July 15^th.